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BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) – The Democratic
Local Governance in Southeast Asia (Delgosea) kicked-off its first conference
for this year at Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn in Bangkok, Thailand.

The two-day event, which opens today and will
run until Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, is anchored on the theme: “5-years ASEAN
Charter” with Article 1 of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Charter providing the starting point for the debate, stating that one of the
purposes of ASEAN is “to strengthen democracy, enhance good governance and the
rule of law, and to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms”
and “to promote a people-oriented ASEAN in which all sections of society are
encouraged to participate in and benefit from the process of ASEAN integration
and community building.”

The conference organizers, the Konrad Adenauer
Foundation and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG ASPAC), have invited
some prominent keynote speakers, such as Hon. Adolfo Severino, former Secretary
General of ASEAN and Gerhard Stahl, Secretary General of the Committee of the
Regions of the European Union.

On behalf of Hon. Severino, Eva Maaten, Delgosea
communication manager delivered his keynote speech, which focused on the
5-years ASEAN: Perspective for the Development of ASEAN as a value-based
community.

Stahl, who explained the ‘Institutional
mechanisms for promoting good local governance in the European Union,’ said
that the concept of local government as set out in the Council of Europe’s
Charter expresses the right and ability of local authorities to regulate and
manage a substantial share of public affairs under their own responsibility and
in the interests of the local population, “and it specifies that this right
should be exercised by councils or assemblies composed of members freely
elected by secret ballot on the basis of universal suffrage.”

The conference brought together representatives
from the municipalities, CSOs, local government associations, academe and media
from all 10 ASEAN states. (with reports from Delgosea/FEA/PIA-Caraga)

EU Committee of the Regions Sec-Gen bares
different approaches to local govt

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) - Secretary General
of the Committee of the Regions of the European Union (EU) Gerhard Stahl
discussed the different approaches to local government, during the first day of
Democratic Local Governance in Southeast-Asia (Delgosea) Conference held on
Wednesday in Bangkok, Thailand.

“Local governance in Europe has its roots in
three different traditions, that of Central/Nordic countries, that of
Anglo-Saxon countries and that of western and southern countries,” said Stahl.

The Central/Nordic Countries have a tradition of
far-reaching local self-government. “For example, in Germany, local
self-government has constitutional status while in the Scandinavian countries
local authorities have a very wide spectrum of tasks covering important policy
areas directly affecting citizens such as education, health and social
services. In all cases a significant degree of fiscal autonomy exists and there
are well-functioning mechanisms for consultation between the different levels
of sub-national government,” explained Stahl.

He also revealed that in Anglo-Saxon Countries,
municipalities are not so well protected, their powers are subject to statute
and the ultra vires rule often applies, meaning that a local authority may only
exercise those functions and tasks that are specifically authorized by statute.
While municipalities may be responsible for large areas of public
administration, their competencies and prerogatives are often limited and they
may have only limited institutional opportunities to influence legislation
which concerns their interests.

“Western and Southern Countries are marked by a
Napoleonic tradition. Local government is protected by the Constitution but
there may be heavy controls from central government. These countries are also
characterized by a large degree of sharing of competencies and tasks among the
different levels of governance,” Stahl added.

Stahl further clarified that the competencies of
local and government vary greatly across European countries. According to him,
this is a function of considerations such as the following: whether the basis
for competences is constitutional or statutory; the degree to which competences
are linked to the level of government (regional, provincial, municipal); the
extent to which competences are exclusive or shared with other levels of
government; and whether competencies are legislative or administrative, among
others.

Meanwhile, citing pubic investment as a very
important component of the functions of regional and local authorities, as it
typically involves different levels of government at some stage of the
investment process, Stahl emphasized that it requires local and regional
authorities work in close coordination with each other and with national
governments and that they have the necessary governance capacities to design
and implement investment projects. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

EU Committee of the Regions Sec-Gen keynotes
Delgosea conference

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) – Secretary General
of the Committee of the Regions of the European Union (EU) Gerhard Stahl has
delivered his keynote speech, highlighting the institutional mechanisms for
promoting good local governance in the EU, during the first day of Democratic Local Governance in Southeast-Asia
(Delgosea) Conference held in Bangkok, Thailand.

“For local government to respond satisfactorily
to the global challenges of sustainable development, whether these be economic,
social or environmental, good local governance, based on the key principles of
democracy, transparency and accountability, is imperative,” said Secretary
General Stahl.

He made mention that in the Organisation for
Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD), sub-national government accounts 40 percent of public expenditure and
72 percent of public investment expenditure, which means that regions and
cities are the key actors in the sphere of economic and social development.

He also discussed the different approaches to
local government. He said the local governance in Europe has its roots in three
different traditions, that of Central/Nordic countries, that of Anglo-Saxon
countries and that of western and southern countries.

He further cited that the competencies of local
government vary greatly across European countries. This is a function of
considerations such as whether the basis for competencies is constitutional or
statutory, the degree to which competencies are linked of government (regional,
provincial, municipal), and whether competencies are legislative or
administrative, among others.

“Many European countries have embarked on fiscal
decentrlization programmes over the last few decades, reassigning spending and
revenue responsibilities from the center to sub-national (regional and local)
governments. This development relies essentially on efficiency arguments.
Sub-national governments have more information and hence can better match
policies with citizen’s preferences,” he added.

It was also learned that the European law is not
generally concerned with the internal state structure of Member States. The
concept of institutional and procedural autonomy excludes interference by the
EU in the organization and procedures at member state level for the
implementation of EU policies providedthe goals set in EU Treaties and
directives are met.

According to Secretary genera Stahl, partnership
between public authorities at national, regional and local levels in the Member
States and with the private and other sectors has long been one of the key
principles in the implementation of EU cohesion policy.

“Transparency and accountability, competencies
based on clear rules and a culture of cooperation in partnership between
different government and private sectors has important advantages for the
successful economic development in a globalized nations,” concluded Stahl.
(VLG/PIA-Caraga)

LPA causes inconvenience to Agusanons

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) – The effects of low
pressure area (LPA) in the province of Agusan del Norte have brought residents
in low-lying areas to be evacuated in a higher and safer place.

Local officials of the province have ordered
residents affected by flashfloods to evacuate to identified evacuation centers.

According to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (PDRRMC) Officer Erma Suyo, as of Wednesday morning,
Jan. 15, there are 95 families (405 individuals) from the barangays Bunga,
Poblacion and Magsaysay, all in the municipality of Jabonga, who are now
evacuated at the munlcipal gym, Jabonga Elementary School and Jabonga National
High School due to flooding.

Suyo also said that the national highway of
Purok 4 of Sta. Ana and barangay Tagmamarkay of Tubay are now under water and
impassable for light vehicles.

"Because of the effects of the LPA, the
province is now implementing Code Blue – preparatory level (on heightened
alert, close monitoring and ready for possible response)," Suyo added.

She also said, the municipal DRRMCs were advised
to be on alert status and urged to activate their emergency response teams for
possible effects of the LPA in their area of responsibilities since Saturday,
January 11.

"All local DRRMC’s are advised to conduct
regular and close monitoring of low-lying areas and further advised to
institute and observe proper protocols. Communities were also advised to be
vigilant as continuous heavy rains still experienced in the province,"
Suyo said.

Since Saturday, the PDRRMC has been regularly
conducting ocular survey to flood and landside-prone barangays of the
municipalities of Cabadbaran, Tubay,
Jabonga and RTR.

On January 13, the Provincial Engineering
District headed by Engr. Nicolas Alameda led the clearing operation at the
landslide area in San Roque, Kitcharao assisted by the PDRRMC headed by Officer
Erma Suyo & Provincial Engineering Office personnel.

The province is equipped and has already
organized its response teams, nine of the 10 municipalities including
Cabadbaran City response teams undergone trainings for response during times of
calamities. (NCLM, PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Fishermen missing for more than 24-hrs found
alive

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) - The two fishermen
from Tubay, Agusan del Norte including a 14-year old boy who ventured into the
sea early dawn of January 11, 2014, who were reported missing, have safely
returned to their respective families at 5 p.m. the following day.

Romeo Etable, Jenifer Aquiatan and Rejoy Basadre
went on fishing despite the advance warning from the Provincial Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) to avoid the big waves and continuous
heavy rains brought about by the low pressure area (LPA) affecting Caraga
region.

It was learned that the boat’s engine has failed
to function normally. However, they were able to seek refuge from other
fishermen in barangay Tinigbsan who willingly accompanied them in going back to
barangay Poblacion, Tubay, Agusan del Norte, said Erma P Suyo, Agusan del Norte
PDRRMC officer. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

Two missing persons found dead

By Darryl P. Pinabacdao

SURIGAO CITY, Jan 15 (PIA) - After being
declared missing during the onslaught of heavy rains, two persons were found
dead in separate places on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Michael Paran, 15 years old, residing in Purok
3, Sitio Hubasan, Brgy. Mat-i, this city was found Tuesday afternoon in Brgy.
San Roque, Surigao City while Jolito Agatia residing in Alegria, Surigao del
Norte was seen Tuesday morning in Santiago, Agusan del Norte.

Search and rescue operations were conducted last
Saturday when Paran went missing while swimming with friends at Sitio Hubasan
River in Brgy. Mat-i. Agatia on the other hand, was also believed to have
drowned in Santiago, Agusan del Norte. The two are now mourned by their respective
families in Brgy. Mat-i and Alegria, Surigao del Norte.

The said operation was headed by the city
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council rescue team composed of
Philippine Maritime Police led by PSSupt. Edgar Cuanan, crew from city rescue
and response team led by Mario Gesta and some PNP personnel. (DPP/PIA-Surigao
del Norte)

DAR to distribute 4,666 hectares of agricultural
lands in Surigao Sur

By Myra Q. Yu

TANDAG CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) - More farmers in
Surigao del Sur will receive lands as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
will distribute around 4,666 hectares of agricultural land this year under the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

This volume of lands to be acquired this 2014 is
part of mandatory targets to be accomplished and will be distributed to more or
less 600 deserving and qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

Record shows that for the past years of
implementation of CARP, the province has consistently delivered and
accomplished more than 100 percent in land acquisition and distribution.

DAR Caraga and its provincial offices are still
determined in the completion of the yearly targets. (NGBT/DAR-SDS/PIA-Surigao
del Sur)

Mindanao energy plan matches with Mindanao dev’t
corridors program

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) - Efforts to lay down
a long-term energy plan to ensure sustainable power regime for Mindanao could
also prime the ground for spatial development initiatives being pursued under a
corridors program, a top energy official said.

Dir. Jesus Tamang of the Department of Energy
(DoE) Energy Policy and Planning Bureau cited that the energy plan being
crafted for the island strategically support the blueprint for development
called the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan.

“The Mindanao Energy Plan (MEP) sets specific
strategies in support of the energy requirements of the Mindanao 2020,
especially under its Mindanao Corridors Development,” said Tamang at the first
leg of series of MEP regional consultations which kicked-off in Cagayan de Oro
City recently.

The DOE official said that its office is working
in close collaboration with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to
achieve better synergy of efforts, noting that, “the Mindanao 2020 strategies
are consistent with what we have developed in the energy plan.”

The energy department also recommended that
Mindanao 2020 integrate an intermodal mass transport system, adding or
improving existing airports to increase mobility in the island and cater to the
influx of visitors, all of which will require energy.

A spatial development framework pushed by MinDA,
the Mindanao Development Corridors is designed to strengthen Mindanao’s
competitiveness by increasing the efficiency of industries and its value chain
to create more jobs and foster inclusive economic growth.

The framework builds on existing regional and
local plans but strengthens these with the complementation with other corridors
in the island region.

“We need to be ready for structural change. With
the increase in power demand in Mindanao, we need to consider all possible
sources of energy, preferably indigenous,” said Tamang, citing Mindanao’s high
capacity for alternative fuels.

He said DoE is seeking the support of the local
leaders to achieve energy sufficiency by identifying renewable energy sources
within their respective areas, as oil and other forms of energy are needed to
provide for the still growing requirements of transport and mobility in the
region.

“We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with
DOE on this very important undertaking for Mindanao,” said Dir. Romeo
Montenegro of MinDA Investment Promotion and Public Affairs.

He added that part of the goals of the regional
consultation was to seek stakeholder support on the identified immediate
measures to the current power supply shortfall that caused intermittent
brownouts in parts of Mindanao.

Montenegro also stressed that MinDA supports the
development of renewable energy (RE) sources, consistent with the Mindanao 2020
strategy on diversification of energy mix, with premium of RE technology.

“We are pushing for more investments in
renewable energy projects, particularly hydro, biomass and solar to keep our
ideal 50-50 energy mix of RE and fossil-fuel power source by 2030,” he added.

DoE spearheads the MEP public consultation in
collaboration with MinDA, which co-chairs the Mindanao Power Coordination
Committee (MPMC).

The first consultation draw over 200 power
stakeholders and other multi-sectoral representatives who gave their inputs and
recommendations on the formulation of the Mindanao energy plan, which is one of
the recommendations during the Mindanao Power Summit in April 2012.

Similar public consultations will be held in
Davao, Gen. Santos, Zamboanga, and Butuan to provide the context and highlights
of the MEP and generate inputs from power stakeholders. (MinDA/PIA-Caraga)

Shun ‘strong typhoon’ rumors but stay vigilant
amid LPA, says Montejo

By Ma. Lilibeth P. Padilla

MANILA, Jan. 15 (PIA) - Science and Technology
Secretary Mario G. Montejo called on residents affected by low pressure area
(LPA) in Eastern Visayas, to ignore rumors that another strong typhoon will hit
it, saying they should rely solely on the government weather bureau as the LPA
is expected to continuing dumping rains in Eastern and Central Visayas,
Mindanao and the Bicol region until Friday.

“People should not believe rumors if they don’t
want to run the risk of being hoaxed,” said Montejo.

He was reacting to reports that residents in
Tacloban -- who have barely started to recover from Typhoon Yolanda -- are
having the jitters after getting rumors through text and the social media that
another strong typhoon is heading for Eastern Visayas.

“PAGASA is ably and diligently providing the
public early warnings and advices based on expert analysis of scientific data
gathered. We have been going through all
forms of media to communicate them to the people,” Montejo said.

“We have
project NOAH, that provides real-time rainfall information discernible at a
local scale or community level. So why not make use of all these tools, instead
of relying on rumors?” he added.

Montejo said the information provided by PAGASA
are always up-to-date as they keep monitoring weather systems 24 hours a day. “We have been issuing public
warnings since last week,” he added.

Montejo, however, said PAGASA warnings are not
supposed to stir panic because they are issued just make the people vigilant
and prepared.

He said people should remain vigilant since LPA
is expected to stay in the country until Friday, and continue causing moderate
to occasionally heavy rains in Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Mindanao and
the Bicol Region.

This, as he appealed to those who make fun of
spreading typhoon hoax, to be sensitive to the plight of the people in
Tacloban.

“Taclobanons have barely started to recover from
Yolanda. To make them panic on baseless information would be an extra burden to
them. Let us at least be sensitive to their plight, if we cannot do anything to
help.” (DOST-STII/PIA-Caraga)